Benefit fraud and error targeted in the Vale of Glamorgan

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is piloting a new communication campaign here.

Every year £5.8 billion of taxpayers' money is lost because of benefit and tax credits fraud and error. This campaign is about helping to reduce the amount lost each year and creating a fairer welfare system by giving those claiming benefits the information needed to avoid errors occurring, as well as focusing on catching those committing benefit fraud.

Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns welcomed the news and said: "This campaign will launch in January and will run for some weeks. It aims to drive awareness amongst claimants, their friends, families and intermediary organisations of the need for claimants to report change of circumstances and encourage the wider public to report suspected benefit fraud.

"If any claimant has any queries then they should contact their local Jobcentre Plus but I am keen to hear from anyone who experiences any difficulties during the trial.

"There has been a real need to reform the benefit system but errors and fraud doesn't help anyone. This is another small step in ensuring that the benefit system is fair to everyone."